Pokémon Go is celebrating its "Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary" event, running from July 21st to July 27th. This special occasion introduces a charming Pikachu adorned in Professor Willow's attire, along with a plethora of in-game advantages and rare Pokémon appearances. Trainers can anticipate escalating XP bonuses for catching Pokémon, the opportunity to teach starter Pokémon their powerful legacy moves upon evolution, and a comprehensive Go Pass system brimming with rewards. The event also brings unique Timed Research and Field Research tasks, offering chances to encounter the exclusive Professor Willow's Pikachu and various other valuable items. Moreover, specific Pokémon will have increased spawn rates on rotating days, and raid battles will feature a refreshed roster of challenging targets. This guide provides an in-depth look at all the exciting features and opportunities awaiting players during this milestone celebration.
During this celebratory period, Pokémon Go enthusiasts can look forward to a series of escalating experience point bonuses for their Pokémon catches. From July 21st to 23rd, players will receive a 6x XP multiplier. This bonus increases to 8x XP between July 23rd and 25th, culminating in a substantial 10x XP boost from July 24th to 27th. These bonuses activate daily at 10 a.m. local time, providing an excellent chance for trainers to level up their accounts and Pokémon swiftly. Additionally, the event allows starter Pokémon to acquire their coveted legacy moves when evolved, making it an opportune moment to enhance your collection with powerful versions of these classic creatures. This is particularly beneficial for those who missed previous Community Days focused on starter Pokémon.
A significant highlight of the event is the introduction of a Professor Willow-themed Pikachu, available through several methods. Players can obtain this special Pikachu as a reward for completing "Win a Raid" Field Research tasks, and potentially through "Catch 10 Pokémon" Field Research exclusively on July 21st. Furthermore, it is guaranteed as a reward for each of the three steps within the "Willow's Birthday Research" Timed Research. The event's Go Pass also offers multiple encounters with Professor Willow's Pikachu at ranks 9, 13, 19, 22, and 29, with extra encounters for those who opt for the deluxe version. Finally, this adorable Pikachu can be challenged as a target in one-star raids until July 27th at 8 p.m. local time, offering ample opportunities for trainers to add it to their collection, with the added challenge of finding its shiny form or one with a special background.
The event features a detailed Go Pass system with 30 standard ranks and an additional 30 bonus ranks. Players can progress through this pass by engaging in various in-game activities such as winning raids, catching Pokémon, and hatching eggs. Rewards include valuable items like Lucky Eggs, Golden Lure Modules, and encounters with Professor Willow's Pikachu. A daily task of "Catch 10 Pokémon" provides an extra 100 points, helping players advance more quickly. Key milestone bonuses are present at certain ranks: Rank 10 offers 2x catch candy, which is boosted to 3x with the deluxe pass, and Rank 20 increases the chance of obtaining Candy XL from catches. The deluxe version of the Go Pass, available for $4.99, enhances these rewards and provides additional perks, catering to dedicated players looking to maximize their gains during the event.
The "Willow's Birthday Research" Timed Research, activated upon logging in on July 21st, guides players through three steps, each rewarding them with Professor Willow's Pikachu, 721 XP, and 721 Stardust. Step 1 requires catching 10 Pokémon, completing 3 Field Research tasks, and making 10 nice throws. Step 2 involves catching 10 Pokémon, completing 3 Field Research tasks, and sending 3 gifts to friends. The final step mandates catching 10 Pokémon, completing 3 Field Research tasks, and spinning 10 PokéStops or gyms. Concurrent Field Research tasks, obtained by spinning PokéStops, offer rewards like Poké Balls, Great Balls, Ultra Balls, starter Pokémon encounters for catching 10 Pokémon, and a Professor Willow's Pikachu encounter for winning a raid. On July 21st only, additional Field Research tasks include catching 10 or 100 Pokémon, spinning 50 PokéStops or gyms, and completing 5 Field Research tasks, yielding various items like coins, Lucky Eggs, Star Pieces, Lure Modules, or Incense.
Beyond individual encounters and research, the event significantly boosts the spawn rates of various starter Pokémon on a rotating daily schedule. From July 21st to 23rd, players will frequently encounter Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. The roster shifts from July 23rd to 25th to include Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Finally, from July 25th to 27th, Rowlet, Litten, Popplio, Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble, and Sprigatito will appear more often. These rotations, changing at 10 a.m. local time, offer ample opportunities to catch desired starter Pokémon for their legacy moves. Additionally, Pokémon like Beldum, Gible, and Dreepy may spawn from lures throughout the entire event, adding more rare catches to the mix.
The "Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary" event enriches the raid scene with new targets. One-star raids will feature Professor Willow's Pikachu and party hat Grimer. For trainers seeking more challenging encounters, three-star raids will include party hat Raticate, Nidorino, Gengar, and Wobbuffet. These special raid bosses provide additional avenues for players to catch rare Pokémon and earn valuable rewards, adding another layer of excitement to the anniversary celebration. The refreshed raid schedule encourages trainers to participate in battles, offering unique opportunities to expand their collections and test their skills against diverse opponents.
The "Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary" event in Pokémon Go provides an immersive and rewarding experience for trainers, packed with exclusive content and generous bonuses. From the charming Professor Willow's Pikachu to the enhanced XP gains and legacy move opportunities for starter Pokémon, the event is designed to celebrate a decade of adventure. The comprehensive Go Pass, diverse research tasks, and rotating boosted spawns ensure that every player has numerous chances to progress, collect rare Pokémon, and enjoy the festivities. Don't miss out on these limited-time offerings to power up your team and capture unique Pokémon before the event concludes on July 27th.
